Continue Reading

Every little bit of movement counts.

You don’t need to be a gym-junkie to get your exercise in. There are so many ways to incorporate a little more movement into your day which will help keep you active and healthy. Of course, regular exercise is important too, but when you’re on-the-go and busy, it’s great to keep your body loose and active by adding in these simple ways to move more.

Walk More

Simple things like parking your car a block away from the grocery store or getting off the bus one stop early can be great ways to add a few more steps in. It is recommended that you get about 10,000 steps in a day and with apps and wearables (like a Fitbit or Apple Watch), it’s never been easier to track your steps. If you find that you’re under the 10,000 steps mark, then it’s definitely worth walking more. If you’re hitting it, then try setting a even higher goal. You won’t tire yourself out (too much) by adding in a bit more walking and it can have great long-term effects!

Desk Stretches

If you work in an office (or home office) and are sat at your desk all day, then rest-assured you can add in movements even sitting down! Simple things like rolling your ankles and wrist, stretching your neck and doing calf raises can keep your blood flowing while you’re at your desk all day. Better yet, try taking little breaks to walk outside or around the office.

Have Lunch Outside

Rather than take the lift down to get to the canteen for lunch, walk briskly for a few blocks and find somewhere to eat there. It really won’t take too much time out of your lunch break, and it’ll guarantee that you get some movement in each day. If you bring packed lunch, consider heating it up and the office then going to a nearby park (or bench) to eat it. Plus, stepping away from the office will give your mind a bit of a break.

Stretch Before Bed

In those 5 minutes you have before turning the light off, you can throw in a few stretches that will not only help you feel more relaxed and more ready for bed, but will count as a bit of exercise. Whether you’re chatting with your partner or reading a book, there’s no reason you can’t try to touch your toes at the same time!

Buy a Bike

A bike doesn’t have to be an expensive investment. You can find new and used bikes fairly cheaply on sites like eBay and Gumtree and it’ll help you get more motion in. Going to the store? Bike there! Running errands? Bike around! Bored? Bike! Biking is a lot faster than walking so if you’re short on time and need to complete some tasks, a bike can be a handy tool.

Put on a Music Playlist

Next time you’re doing chores, like cooking or cleaning, put on some dancing music in the background. If you’re playing fast-paced music, you’ll likely start cooking and cleaning to the beat of the music, or at the very least, break out into a dance from time to time. It’ll make simple chores a lot more fun and will upgrade these activities into mini-workouts.

Choose the Stairs

Whenever you can, choose to take the stairs or walk up the escalators. Chances are that you probably encounter this choice at least a few times a week and when given the option, choose to walk up. At the very least, walk up a few flights (let’s say if you work or live at the way top of a building). This exercise is especially great for heart health.

Keep Your Alarm on the Other Side of the Room

Jumpstart your day – literally. If you place your alarm clock on the other side of the room, you’ll have to get up to turn it off. No more snoozing or laying around for 5-10 mins after waking up. By making this simple switch, you’re getting more movement in from the moment you open your eyes. This can give you more energy to start the day!

Drink More Water

Not only is it great to keep hydrated, but drinking more water will give you more reason to move. Yes, it sounds very silly, but the more water you drink, the more you’ll have to pee meaning the more times in a day you’ll be getting up, going to the toilet and moving around. It’s a win-win!

Dress the Part

Dressing comfortably and wearing moveable clothing will help make all these daily changes a lot easier. You’re less likely to do something if it’s difficult, so don’t let your clothing choice be a restraint. Of course, some places of work have very strict dress codes, but if you can get around it to make your daily outfits on the looser, more stretchy side, then you’ll be able to do so much more.

Ultimately, the more you do, the better. Working out can be a daunting task, especially when you’re feeling tired or are in pain. But the good news is, there are so many ways to get more movement in each and every day. You’ve just got to commit and remember that it’s all about that long-run feeling. The more active you are, the better you’ll feel!

MEG’S TIP OF THE WEEK

“Ladies, the reality is that some days are just not going to be that great. The best thing you can do on those days is to go with the flow. If you need to have a duvet day, have a duvet day! Take some time out for yourself and try not to feel guilty about it.”